The Bays

The Bays are my maternal grandparents' line.  I had known my Grandad Bay very well but I knew little of his family.  The photograph above show my Grandad Bay with his eldest daughter, Mavis, on her wedding day. 

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As I traced the family back, I came to ancestors living in Macclesfield working in the silk mills.  I then went further back and found ancestors who were silk weavers in Bethnal Green, London.  To my great surprise, I discovered that the family was originally from the area around Saint Quentin, Picardy, France. 

 

The Bays worked in the weaving and textile industries for over two hundred years.  My ancestors were protestant Huguenot refugees fleeing France for the greater safety of England.   This was a complicated story over time, with ancestors also fleeing France to live in neighbouring protestant countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.  The name Bay is an anglicised version of De Bay. 

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The word 'refugees' originated with the Huguenots and their story resonates down the ages - religious intolerance and fear of the 'other'.   Ultimately, it is a success story, as the Huguenots brought long lasting benefits to our country through their craftsmanship, hard work and resourcefulness.

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Since starting this website several Bay ancestors have been in touch with me and shared some of their research and knowledge.  I am very grateful to Wendy Davies for her suggestions. Her research led me to look again at some of my research.  I have made some changes, particularly the ancestors between Louis De Bay b.1702 and William Bay b. 1808.  I do not claim that my research is 100% correct, but I have done my best to verify facts as far as possible! 

 

To read about the Bays through time, starting with my 9th Great Grandfather, Isaac, in the early 1600s, click here.  

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